Fewer Satisfied with Candidates than in Any Campaign Since 1992

Republicans Less Satisfied than Democrats

Approaching the first presidential debate, voters offer tepid ratings of the 2012 field. Just over half (54%) say they are either very or fairly satisfied with the presidential choices this year, while 40% say they are not too or not at all satisfied. The percentage expressing satisfaction with the candidates is now lower than it has been in any election since 1992.

In September 2008, far more voters (72%) said they were satisfied with the presidential choices that year. More voters also were satisfied with the candidates in the 2004 (66%), 2000 (64%) and 1996 (61%) campaigns.

The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the Washington Post, conducted September 20-23, 2012 among 1,005 adults, including 838 registered voters, finds that satisfaction ratings of the candidates are unchanged from June when 56% said they were satisfied with the choices. In 2008, satisfaction with the presidential candidates rose from 60% in June to 72% in September.

Democratic voters continue to express more positive ratings of the candidates than Republicans. Overall, 66% of Democrats say they are either very or fairly satisfied with the presidential field this year, compared with 57% of Republicans and fewer than half (45%) of independents.

In 2008, all three groups were more positive about the choices, and Republicans (74%) were about as likely as Democrats (78%) to say they were satisfied. In 2004 and 2000, Republicans were somewhat more satisfied with the presidential choices than Democrats; in 1996 and 1992, Democrats held more positive views than Republicans.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.